“I remember you saying ‘Kobe Jordan’”: When Dawn Staley recalled watching Allen Iverson and Philadelphia 76ers’ practice
Leaving a generational impact on the game of basketball tends to have a strong effect on those who play the sport. Dawn Staley knew that while watching Allen Iverson during a Philadelphia 76ers' practice.
Staley had Iverson as a special guest on an episode of the "NETLIFE with Dawn Staley" podcast that was uploaded on YouTube in April 2022. They discussed multiple topics, including Iverson's NBA career and what he has been doing since he retired.
Staley recalled when she attended the 76ers' practices at St. Joe's, where she worked out before staying to see Iverson play.
"I remember the Sixers used to work out at St Joe's," Staley said. "So I used to work (out) at St Joe's before y'all would get to practice and then I would just stay. I would stay and just watch practice. And then sometimes John Lucas would allow me to come into practice, you know, do some drills.
"I used to just watch you like and it was sometimes before the game, I can remember when y'all were about to play the Lakers, like half of your hair was done and half of your hair was braided, right? So I knew you'll get your hair done in between the game, between shoot around, and then the game."
She also noted a name Iverson would say during the sessions.
"And you used to imitate Kobe like during practice," Staley said. "Like you would be, like, I remember you saying 'Kobe Jordan.' I remember you saying that during practice. So, I mean, it's amazing to see just, you know, just seeing you behind closed doors, and then actually coming down to the Sixers games and seeing you ball out like it was your career was incredibly amazing."
Dawn Staley reflects on Allen Iverson's impact on basketball
Allen Iverson is recognized by many as one of the greatest basketball players due to the cultural impact he left. Dawn Staley knew this from the beginning, explaining to him the effect he had on younger generations who had the opportunity to watch him play live.
"Because of your height and because of your toughness and because you made the game look really easy, you made us really feel like we could do some of the things that you did and again, we were living through watching you play, but you know, you had fame at a very young age and you were considered iconic at a very young age," Staley said.
Iverson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, six years after his final NBA season. He averaged 26.7 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game in his 14-year career, winning the MVP award and reaching the NBA finals in 2001. He was also named an All-Star 11 times and an All-NBA player seven times.